The Brand New Testament | 2015

Main Plot

In The Brand New Testament, God is portrayed not as a distant deity, but as a grumpy, petty man living in a modest apartment in Brussels with his young daughter, Ea. He spends his days creating arbitrary rules to make humanity miserable, while his wife quietly endures his behavior. Tired of her father's cruelty, Ea rebels by leaking everyone’s death dates to the world, sparking chaos and liberation across the globe. She escapes into the city, recruiting her own apostles and inspiring people to seize control of their destinies. As God desperately tries to restore order, Ea’s actions lead to a series of whimsical, heartfelt events that challenge the meaning of faith, free will, and happiness. The film blends dark humor and fantasy, offering a fresh, irreverent take on religious themes while exploring how ordinary people react when given the chance to rewrite their own stories.

Characters

• Pili Groyne plays Ea, God's rebellious daughter who sets out to rewrite the rules of humanity. Her journey challenges divine authority and explores themes of free will and compassion.
• Benoît Poelvoorde portrays God, a petty and vindictive figure residing in Brussels. His controlling nature is confronted when his daughter undermines his power, forcing him to face unforeseen consequences.
• Catherine Deneuve appears as Martine, a disillusioned woman searching for meaning in her life. Her character's arc highlights the transformative impact of hope and unexpected connections.

Ending Explained

At the conclusion of The Brand New Testament, the world has been fundamentally altered by the actions of God’s rebellious daughter, Ea. After escaping her father’s oppressive rule in Brussels, Ea sends everyone on Earth a text message revealing the exact date of their death, which forces humanity to confront their mortality and live more authentically. As the story wraps up, God—stripped of his power and forced to wander—ends up trapped in Uzbekistan, unable to return home. Meanwhile, Ea completes her quest by gathering six new apostles, each of whom finds a renewed sense of purpose and happiness. Ea’s mother, previously a passive figure, takes over God’s computer and, in a whimsical twist, reshapes the world into a kinder, more joyful place. The film closes with a sense of liberation: the characters are free from God’s arbitrary rules, and the world is left in the hands of someone who values compassion and creativity. The ending underscores the film’s playful critique of authority and celebrates the transformative power of empathy and self-determination.